THE Daily
Monday, August 24, 2026
MISSISSIPPIAN theDMonline.com
Volume 115, No. 1
AI policies are no longer one-size-fits-all across UM departments
Each academic department will introduce its own AI policy suited to the needs of students and faculty. DYLAN THOMAS
University News Editor
Each academic department at the University of Mississippi will introduce its individual artificial intelligence policy this semester. AI policies are expected to be included in every course syllabus. All departments were tasked by the university in May to create department-specific AI policies. The university’s AI Task Force gave departments guidance on what, specifically, each AI policy should aim to address. The guidelines emphasized addressing student and faculty usage and the renewal of any AI policies on an annual basis to keep up with technological changes. “Each academic department or program is responsible for developing artificial intelligence guidelines that: address student use of generative AI in course com-
GRACE ANN COURTNEY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
ponents,” the AI Guidelines for Teaching and Learning said. “Address student use of agentic AI in course components; address student use of
assistive AI in course components; and hold students accountable for infractions.” The guideline then went on to outline what’s needed
for faculty to take a case of a suspected AI usage violation, and the opportunity for possible restorative opportunities. Robert Cummings, the
chair of the university’s AI Task Force, met with administrators, deans and chairs throughout the summer to ensure that all departments had a clear understanding of the principles behind their AI policies. Many schools, and the departments within, are in different stages in terms of the degrees to which they have integrated AI into their courses. Some departments have fully introduced AI into their courses, while others are more hesitant and are still in conversation with faculty and staff to find the best form of implementation. “There is a natural tension between groups of faculty who are resisting AI and groups of faculty who are embracing AI,” Cummings said. “Both of those perspectives, in my opinion, are correct, and that’s what makes this so chal-
SEE AI POLICIES PAGE 3
NEW CAMPUS DINING
FALL CONCERTS
FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW
Choolaah Indian BBQ, Smalls Sliders, The Cookie Nook and Manila Skillet are set to open this semester.
Here’s a peek at musical acts coming to Oxford this semester.
The Rebels, led by head coach Pete Golding, are stacked with elite talent in 2026.
SEE PAGE 7
SEE PAGE 9
SEE PAGE 13
Campus construction UM Department of Modern Languages hopes takes shape as for Russian language flagship opportunity fall semester begins AKAYLA HUGHES News Staff Writer
ALY BRADSHAW News Staff Writer
The University of Mississippi continues on with its construction projects as demand for student housing grows. These projects include two additional dormitories, new and renovated campus facilities and upgrades to sorority and fraternity houses. Dormitory construction The additional dorms will be situated on West Row and will include a new din-
ing facility and parking garage with about 1,500 parking spots. The project is currently in the demolition phase through September, as construction crews tear down the previous married student housing facilities located on the project site. The West Row dorms are expected to be completed in August 2028. The other new dorm
SEE CONSTRUCTION PAGE 2
Flagship language programs have put the University of Mississippi on the map for language learners, and the Department of Modern Languages is now awaiting an announcement from the U.S. Department of Defense about whether it will host a nationwide competition for a Russian language flagship program. Language flagship programs are intensive, federally funded initiatives for undergraduate institutions designed to make students fluent in critical languages. Students from any major can apply to the programs, which include study abroad requirements, small class sizes and one-on-one tutoring. The University of Mississippi currently houses Arabic and Chinese language flagship programs.
Croft Institute for International Studies Daniel O’Sullivan, who serves as the chair of the department, has faith that the university’s Russian language program would be a strong candidate for a Russian language flagship. “We think that we have the po-
JOURNEY GLOVER / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
tential to be an outstanding Russian flagship program,” O’Sullivan said. “(We) already have a cadre of very dedicated teachers and students who regularly win competi-
SEE LANGUAGE PAGE 3
PAGE 2 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026
CONSTRUCTION
continued from page 1 under construction sits on the site of the now-demolished Kincannon Hall. The north portion of the building has been built up to its top floor, and the concrete is being poured for the south wing of the building. The dorm is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy in August 2027. Greystar is the private developer partnering with the university to complete these construction projects. Chancellor
Glenn Boyce spoke in a press release about the university’s partnership with Greystar. “This transformative partnership with Greystar will provide a unique and exceptionally efficient approach to expanding housing options on campus,” Boyce said in a press release. “I’m grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, statewide elected officials, the IHL Board of Trustees and all involved in this intentional and thoughtful planning that has moved this project forward for the benefit of our students.” Jacob Batte, the university’s director of news and me-
Construction underway on the former Kincannon Hall site on Aug. 9
dia relations, emphasized that Greystar will help the university further its goal to provide housing for first-year students. “The university’s partnership with Greystar will support our goal of housing first-year students on campus through modern residence halls delivered in a time- and cost-effective manner,” Batte said. Campus facilities The Jones Hall School of Accountancy building is currently under construction and is expected to open in fall 2029, according to an Aug. 19 press re-
MADISON TWIDDY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
lease from the university. The portion of Grove Loop between University Avenue and Alumni Drive is closed for site work in front of the current Triplett Alumni Center. Commuters should use alternate routes to avoid the area until lanes are reopened on Grove Loop. Replacement of the access bridge on the West entrance of Shoemaker Hall on University Circle is expected to be finished by late October. Students and staff should access the building from the northeast entrance off Gertrude Ford Way or the south entrance near the Duff Center until construction is cleared. Additionally, the Tad Smith Coliseum is undergoing demolition scheduled to be finished by the end of October. The university asserted that demolition is being completed efficiently in a process that recycles as much material as possible. The university is also adding an additional parking garage called the New Northwest Parking Structure that is expected to be completed in spring 2027. The Early Learning and Evaluation Center at the South Oxford Center is projected to open in summer 2027. The Willie Price Lab School currently located in Kinard Hall will be housed at the new facility upon completion. Major construction on the university’s data center on Rebel Drive and the New Northwest Mechanical Plant on Ridge Loop are complete. The current phase — building commissioning and pro-
gramming — is projected to be completed in February 2027. Greek houses
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Beyond the university buildings and student residence halls, multiple sorority and fraternity houses are also under construction. Sigma Alpha Epsilon is constructing a new house that is expected to be completed by summer 2027. Demolition of the fraternity’s former house on Fraternity Row was complete prior to the start of the semester, and the new house will be built at the same location. The Alpha Chi Omega sorority is also building a new house on the same site as its former house, which is expected to be complete by fall 2027. Additions and renovations were recently completed on the houses belonging to Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Beta Theta Pi and Phi Delta Theta. Each of these organizations will welcome their respective members to use and live in their new chapter facilities for the 2026-27 academic year. Planning and design for facility renovations and additions are underway for Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Psi and Kappa Sigma.
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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026 | PAGE 3
LANGUAGE
continued from page 1
tions at Russian essay competi-tions and other things like that.” - The National Security Edsucation Program, managed by .the Defense Language and Na-tional Security Education Ofsfice within the U.S. Department yof Defense, is responsible for flaunching institutional grant comepetitions for flagship programs. - Once requests for proposals -open on the language flagship lwebsite, colleges and univer.sities will turn in comprehenrigorous applications -sive, wto be academically peer-resviewed and judged before -federal grants are rewarded. . The 2026-28 Domestic Unsdergraduate Chinese and Areabic Language Flagship Pro-gram competition and the a2026-27 ROTC Flagship Sum.mer Language Program comspetition were the most recent efederal grant competitions. n The Department of Modern rLanguages does plan to apply .for a Russian flagship if the rU.S. Department of Defense -announces a competition. The runiversity’s application must -convince the government to .provide funding and operations. “The only obstacle there is convincing (the U.S. Department of Defense) that we can do it,” O’Sullivan said. “We have done it in Chinese and Arabic, so I’m hoping that our reputation speaks for itself, that we know what we’re doing and (that) we’re deserv-
AI POLICIES
continued from page 1 lenging and so interesting.” The School of Journalism and New Media has found many ways to incorporate AI, ranging from the approval of a new minor in AI in communications, which will launch this fall, to the integration of AI into preexisting courses. Rashad Mammadov is the chair of the Media and Communications Department in the School of Journalism and New Media. He also serves as the chair of the School of Journalism and New Media’s AI Task Force. The journalism school’s AI Task Force was created about a year and half ago with the expressed purpose
ing of the funding to make a Russian flagship happen.” The Russian program currently operates as an undergraduate minor. Institutional enrollment and dropout data reports are not publicly available, but O’Sullivan believes the department is seeing an increase in lower-level course enrollments. “I believe the numbers in the lower level (courses) are up, so that will translate to more numbers, I’m hoping, at the upper levels in due time,” O’Sullivan said. “If we were to have a Russian flagship here, I know that we would be able to get more … people into the upper levels.” A Russian flagship program would not only benefit the students, but also the university, by creating visibility and notoriety for the program. It could serve to attract high-caliber prospective students. “Just like in Arabic and Chinese, it will make us sort of a national target for some of the best language learners in the country,” O’Sullivan said. The Department of Modern Languages has hosted the Chinese language flagship program since 2003, which was the first full year that the program was federally funded and operated, and the Arabic language flagship program since 2018. Because the Chinese and Arabic language programs at the university are flagships, they have the ability to give their students more opportunities for study abroad programs and language advancement. Keagan Rupp is a sophomore Arabic and international studies
of finding ways to teach students how to use AI within their chosen fields. This past summer, the task force was instrumental in bringing the departments within the School of Journalism and New Media together to create their policies. “We started exploring the ways we can integrate AI skills into our curriculum with the understanding that AI is becoming the new workplace reality,” Mammadov said. “Our students are expected to have AI skills going into newsrooms, into advertising offices, into pretty much any kind of communications-related workplace that you can name. We approached this with an understanding that this is one of the tools that the industry is using, and we would be doing our students a disservice if we do not address that particular need.”
THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN EDITORIAL staff
PHOTO COURTESY: UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
Chinese language flagship students participate in a cultural education event. double major from Cottleville, Mo., who believes a Russian flagship program would improve student experiences. “The Arabic flagship has been an excellent opportunity, along with the pre-freshman summer and the summer abroad before sophomore year, to achieve my goals in accelerating my progress in the language,” Rupp said. A Russian flagship would offer students the same opportunities that students in the Arabic and Chinese flagships already enjoy, including study abroad opportunities and other advanced learning experiences. Emily Barnes is a sophomore international studies major from Richton, Miss., excited about the potential for a Russian flagship. “I would be excited about the Russian flagship because it would bring a new level to the
Russian program here at Ole Miss,” Barnes said. “The Russian flagship aims to give students a new level of fluency, new abroad experiences and new academic skills that are all very important for our future jobs. My end goal of Russian language learning at Ole Miss is high working fluency, and (the) Russian flagship would be greatly beneficial to those with the same goal.” Other Russian language students are also elated at the possibility of a Russian flagship. Liz Brittain, a sophomore international studies major and Russian minor from Collinsville, Miss., highlighted the various ways a Russian flagship could impact her academic career. “Having a Russian flagship would mean that we would get more study abroad opportunities and that we would have
more classes to take so it doesn’t feel like the time is ticking,” Brittain said. “I really love the Russian language, and I’d love to be able to have more resources available to learn it. It can be really disheartening whenever a language that I’ve poured so much time into doesn’t have as many resources as other languages on campus. I feel like a Russian flagship would significantly increase my working proficiency within the language.”
Other departments are coming together to create policies under a shared goal, as well. School of Education departments, for example, are united under a mission to advance teaching and learning practices. “No matter what, the School of Education is focused on how can we enhance teaching and learning,” Rock said. “If a tool can enhance that work — not do it for us, but help us do it better — then we’re always going to explore how we can use it to strengthen teaching and learning.” However, while the departments may be working under the same principles of bettering the teaching and learning practices and experiences for their students, each department’s policy might not be the same as other departments within the school.
“We have a Department of Higher Education preparing professionals to work in higher education, while other departments focus on areas such as teacher education and early childhood education,” Rock said. “The goal of teaching and learning is the same across those areas, but how AI is used and what guidelines or requirements are needed can be very different. I think each department will have to approach it in a way that fits its specific needs.” It is expected that there will be variation in AI policies as departments accommodate for their respective needs and priorities. However, the university and faculty have an expressed interest in making their policies as transparent as possible for their students. “A university is like a city, and in a city, you have dif-
ferent neighborhoods, and in different neighborhoods, you’ve got different approaches to solving problems and moving forward,” Cummings said. “(Students are) going to be in different departments, and they’ll have different approaches, but wherever they are, they’re owed clear guidelines in the classroom. … The university’s committed to the idea of giving them clarity.”
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Mississippi odyssey: Aplós journeys from Jackson to Oxford CHANCE MARLOWE Local News Editor
In Oxford, a town known for its quality restaurants, there is no shortage of good eats. Aplós is the newest addition to Oxford’s culinary scene. The Mediterranean and Greek-inspired fast-casual eatery, owned by Alex Eaton, opened in June and has quickly grown in popularity among University of Mississippi students as they returned to Oxford for the start of the school year. The new Oxford restaurant is Aplós’ third location, with oth-
Aplós
ers located in Jackson, Miss., and Ridgeland, Miss. It is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers a variety of fresh options to choose from. Because of his heritage, serving authentic food is vital to Eaton. “My mom is full-blooded Lebanese, so growing up, I was around a lot of the culture,” Eaton said. “The more I got into my food career, the more I liked that style of food, (especially) the cleaner eating and flavor profile of it. I went to California and worked at a gyro shop, and then went to Lebanon to study
the food, and then opened up Aplós in (Jackson, Miss.).” This trip to Lebanon was especially important to Eaton in crafting his restaurant brand. He continues to rely on the lessons he learned abroad to ensure that his restaurant is up to standard. “I didn’t want to open up a Mediterranean restaurant without going to the Mediterranean,” Eaton said. While Aplós is still new to Oxford, students have already begun making their way to the restaurant. Noah Kuehn, a sophomore majoring in business analytics, said he has already visited Aplós twice and enjoyed his experience. “Aplós is so gas. I’ve been twice now and have got the white chicken pizza, and it is amazing,” Kuehn said. “The crust is super good, and it doesn’t take long at all for my food to come out. They have plenty of seating and misters for when it’s hot.” The Aplós menu boasts various options of dishes and proteins to ensure there is someREESE JOHNSON / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN thing for everyone to enjoy. “I recommend the plates.
I, personally, get the roasted chicken or red fish plate, and I sub the vegetables for rice. By the time you get done eating the plate, all the flavors melt together and it’s a really good way to taste the Aplós experience,” Eaton said. The restaurant happily welcomes students. Lily Potter, an integrated marketing and communications graduate student, believes Aplós has quickly become an excellent fit in the local restaurant scene. “Aplós has been a great addition to Oxford. The food is delicious, and the menu has a variety of options. The atmosphere is fun, welcoming and relaxed. The service is great, and the staff are very friendly,” Potter said. Regarding challenges with the new location, Eaton said the restaurant has occasionally run out of seating for its many customers. He and the staff underestimated the amount of business they would receive upon opening. They have fully adjusted now and put more work on the outdoor patio section of seating. Though the Mississippi
heat might deter diners from sitting outside, the restaurant aims to make both indoor and outdoor seating comfortable. “We got our misters put out earlier than expected. Originally, we were going to wait until next spring. We went ahead and fully loaded the patio. We (have) motorized awnings coming, and the last step will be putting in the heaters,” Eaton said. For Eaton, the mission of Aplós extends beyond just sharing authentic Mediterranean food with Mississippians. “Our mission statement is that we bring communities together,” Eaton said. “We don’t want it to turn into a college-only or an old-person-only restaurant. We want it to be a place that truly feels like a community center.”
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SAA brings back fall concert and zip line with 2026 Welcome Week LEXI KRENIS
News Staff Writer
The Student Activities Association (SAA) has geared up to host the annual SAA Welcome Week at the University of Mississippi for over 20 years. This year’s theme is “People Make the Place.” SAA Welcome Week gives the student body an opportunity to attend a week full of free events and vendors. Festivities began on Sunday, Aug. 23, with “Build the M” and will end on Friday, Aug. 28, with the 2026 Fall Concert. While the week’s events are not directly listed, SAA has teased what is to come on their Instagram. Monday’s events will start with SAA leaders using the golf cart to take students to class from the Union Plaza from 10am-2pm, and then there will be a silent disco on the Grove Stage from 8-10:30pm. Tuesday’s event will be a zipline on the Grove from 10am-2pm. Wednesday’s events include catering from Taylor Grocery on the Union Plaza from 10am-2pm, and pizza on the Plaza from 7pm-9pm. Thursday’s events start at 7am and 8am with pilates hosted on the Union Plaza, and a movie night featuring Ferris Bueller’s Day Off The Union from 7pm-9pm. Friday’s events will be on the Union Plaza from 10am2pm and will conclude with the Fall Concert featuring Stella Lefty, Lawrence and Jake Scott starting at 6pm.
The student body will assemble on Hollingsworth Field inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for “Build the M,” photographing students in the shape of an “M” from above. This event was introduced to Welcome Week in 2024. Meredith Lovitt, Brayden Rodgers and Gibson Russell serve as the special events co-directors of SAA. Lovitt revealed more of what Welcome Week has to offer. “We have an exciting lineup of over 10 events planned throughout the first week of classes. Students can look forward to our First Day of Class Bash, a zip line — which was a campus favorite last year — and a new event called ‘What’s Up Wednesday,’” Lovitt said. “The full schedule of events can be found on our Instagram, @ olemisssaa. We will post event details and any updates that come during the week here.” Nathan Snell, who serves as the president of SAA, encouraged students to show up and show out for this year’s festivities. “We host this as a big welcome back to classes for Ole Miss sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as a big welcome to freshmen, which provides them a space to meet some of their first college friends,” Snell said. The university supports Welcome Week by providing transportation, employees and space on campus. SAA also extended this year’s Welcome Week to six days instead of the previous five. Rodgers explained
what goes into organizing these events. “We started preparing for Welcome Week back in April 2026. We prepare and plan basically up until the first day of school,” Rodgers said. “Myself and my other co-directors, Meredith Lovitt and Gibson Russell, are the main brains and planning behind Welcome Week, along with our amazing advisors and PR team.” Russell reflected on his time spent preparing for Welcome Week and spoke on his goals for the events. “The goal is to obviously welcome students back, but deeper than that, we hope to open up our campus and make it feel more like a home,” Russell said. “With each aspect of our programming, we seek to create moments where students can foster connections and relationships with one another in a fun environment. Our hope is to help students know, whether incoming or returning, that they can make Ole Miss their place.” All three of the special events co-directors participated in Welcome Week in prior years, and they reflected on some of their favorite memories and takeaways from those experiences. For Lovitt, participating in Welcome Week directly impacted her work as an organizer. “Throughout planning Welcome Week, I have made sure to include things that freshman-year me walking onto campus for the first time would’ve loved to get involved in,” Lovitt said. “Knowing
PHOTO COURTESY: MEREDITH LOVITT
2026-27 Student Activities Association executive board how much these experiences meant to me has motivated me to create events that are memorable and welcoming to every student who attends.” Rodgers highlighted the zip line activity as one of his favorite Welcome Week memories. “As a student, I would definitely say my favorite Welcome Week activity is the Ole Miss zip line from last year,” Rodgers said. “I love it because it is so out of the blue and an eyesore on campus that you can’t help but not love it. And who doesn’t like zip lining across the Grove at 10 a.m.?” Russell said that attending Welcome Week stirred his interest in eventually joining SAA. “I absolutely loved participating in Welcome Week before I planned it,” Russell said. “The first event I ever went to was Silent Disco, and it is what sparked my love for the SAA and, more specifically, special events.”
Aside from the scheduled events, South Depot Taco Shop, The Oxford Creamery, Sno Biz and Taylor Grocery are some of the many vendors and caterers that will be on-campus during Welcome Week. “Welcome Week 2026 is packed full of fun (and) energy and (is) something you want to be at,” Snell said.
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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026 | PAGE 5
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PAGE 6 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026
Try these songs to beat back-to-school blues ADA C. RICHARDSON A&C Staff Writer
A stellar playlist is the perfect way to kick off the school year, from relaxing study music to fast-paced hype songs for walking to class. This playlist captures that bittersweet transition from summer sun to campus days. Featuring an eclectic mix of songs and genres — from niche artists to fan favorites — this is your guide for study motivation and summer reminiscing.
juicy drink on the white sands of a hot beach. The Beach Boys sing, “That dreamy look in your eye / Give me a tropical contact high,” bringing listeners to the beach with their heads in the clouds.
“Lover” album cover
Taylor Swift
“This Empty Northern Hemisphere” album cover
“Dandelion Wine” by Gregory Alan Isakov PHOTO COURTESY: FLIPTURN
“Citrona” album cover
The soft, melancholy tune and haunting lyrics, such as “Summer days were just a magazine,” set a tone of forgetting “August” by Flipturn that transports listeners to a This song captures the nos- midsummer evening with firetalgia of lost summer love. flies blinking among the trees. The lyrics “But now you’re a stranger / And I’m still July / But don’t you remember / August, honey, you were mine” invoke feelings of loss and yearning for the past. Dillon Basse’s crooning vocals set against an angsty electric guitar will have you dreaming of hot summer days. PHOTO COURTESY: WILLIS.
“Locals 2” EP cover
“I Think I Like When It Rains” by WILLIS
“Let’s Go Swimming” single cover
“Let’s Go Swimming” by Palace The title of this song was likely a familiar phrase for many of us this summer, wanting to just “Come outside, the day’s fine / Just dance like the daylight.” The song’s flowing sound evokes the physical sensations of pool water against tan skin.
Summer is known for its brief, yet frequent, pop-up thunderstorms. In this song, WILLIS says, “I dreamed of things you said to me / We stayed at your place while it rains,” allowing the rain to serve as a reminder for time spent with a lover after school.
No summer playlist is complete without this chart-topping record. Its catchy beat and sassy lyrics, such as “I snuck in through the garden gate / Every night that summer just to seal my fate” are timeless, making it perfect for both summer and the start of the semester.
PHOTO COURTESY: ANTI INC.
“Shame, Shame” album cover
“Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog This is a perfect melody for those mourning a summer that went by too fast. “She’s on the go, way too fast and way too slow” portrays the loss of time for listeners in a way only music can, bringing about bittersweet emotions. This song became popular in 2024 but has remained popular thanks to its timeless lyrics.
PHOTO COURTESY: MERCURY RECORDS
PHOTO COURTESY: VIRGIN RECORDS
“Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” album cover
“1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins
PHOTO COURTESY: CAPITOL RECORDS.
“Kokomo” by The Beach Boys In this summer classic, The Beach Boys sing longingly about different vacation spots and falling in love. This upbeat energy pairs well with a
This song channels the sort of “teenage dirtbag” energy that was prominent in indie movies from the ‘80s and ‘90s. “And we don’t know just where our bones will rest / To dust, I guess” channels the distress felt by many students whose summers are coming to an end. It is the perfect introduction to fall and will make you want to skateboard with your friends in a parking lot at 1 a.m.
“Under Great White Northern Lights” album cover
“We’re Going to Be Friends” by The White Stripes This is a song that captures the simplicity and joy of children going to school. The lyrics “Back to class, through the hall / Teacher marks our height against the wall” help create the perfect positive listening experience tempered with nostalgia to kick-start your school year.
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T
“The Great Divide” album cover
“Still Cruisin’” album cover
SCAN FOR OUR PLAYLIST
PHOTO COURTESY: THIRD MAN RECORDS
PHOTO COURTESY: REPUBLIC RECORDS
PHOTO COURTESY: SUITCASE TOWN MUSIC
PHOTO COURTESY: PALACE PRESENTS
“Cruel Summer” by
“End of August” by Noah Kahan This song has been on everyone’s playlist recently for good reason. Focusing on love and loss, it captures the angst and anxiety of romantic frustration in the midst of life’s complications. With lyrics like “Late August angst and a pointless night / Ooh, and the feeling of being alive,” this song is a great one to listen to while driving to campus with your windows down.
THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026 | PAGE 7
Let them cook: 4 new restaurants are set to open on UM’s campus TAF FLANDERS
Assistant A&C Editor
The University of Mississippi announced the opening of four new dining locations for the upcoming fall semester on Thursday, Aug. 13. In an email sent out to students, Ole Miss Dining stated that one new food truck would be available on campus, while
Manila Skillet will continue to serve Filipino cuisine on campus through their new, stand-alone food truck. The pop-up restaurant, founded by chef Irish Fe Leigh, previously served food once a week on campus through The Farmstand food truck on Business Row. In a previous interview with The Daily Mississippian, Fe Leigh said that she prides
JACK KIRKLAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
The Cookie Nook under construction in Weir Hall three existing eateries would be replaced with new options. Chip Burr, the resident district manager at Aramark Higher Education at Ole Miss, said the new options will provide more types of food that students want. “As our contracts with Steak ‘n Shake and Qdoba approached the end of their terms, we had an opportunity to explore emerging brands that better align with current student preferences,” Burr said.
herself on offering a truly Filipino experience for customers. “When you get Manila Skillet, you know it’s authentic because it could be gourmet or fusion or just mixing whatever,” Fe Leigh said. “But I like people to get traditional, authentic food.” Jonathan Kelchner, a senior computer science major from Lubboch, Texas, thinks Manila Skillet will be a welcome new food option for students and faculty alike. “I loved the Manila Skil-
JACK KIRKLAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Smalls Sliders’ future location inside The Sandy and John Black Pavilion
let when they came to the Farmstand, and I’m very excited that they have their own truck now,” Kelchner said. Qdoba, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant in the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union, will be replaced with Choolaah Indian BBQ. Choolaah’s menu offers build-your-own bowls, wraps and traditional Indian sides, like naan and samosas. “I’m a little sad that (Qdoba is) gone, but I’m excited to try the new Indian barbeque place,” Kelchner said. With dishes like lentil dahl and paneer, Choolaah will provide a wider selection of vegetarian and vegan options for students. Popular Indian-American favorites, like chicken tikka masala and butter chicken, will also be available. Burr said that the decision to add Choolaah as an on-campus dining option was based partly on saturation in the market of Mexican cuisine throughout Oxford, since there are already over 20 restaurants in Oxford that serve Mexican food. “Based on student feedback and research into the local competitive landscape … Choolaah emerged as a clear choice, offering healthier international cuisine with vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free options,” Burr said. Kelsey Sulzner, a senior integrated marketing communications and allied health studies student from St. Louis, believes there are positives and negatives to the change. “When we give tours, it’s really helpful to incoming students to have name brand places It gets students more excited when it’s like, ‘Oh, you can use your meal swipes on Qdoba,’” Sulzner said. Steak ‘n Shake is set to be replaced with another burger joint chain, Smalls Sliders, which will offer sliders, waffle fries and milkshakes in The Sandy and John Black Pavilion. Burr described the replacement as an upgrade for students. “Smalls Sliders was selected to enhance the burg-
Manila Skillet on Business Row er experience,” Burr said. “The brand offers a modern, high-quality menu that aligns with student preferences, making it a strong addition to the campus dining experience while continuing to support basketball concessions.” For many students, Steak ‘n Shake was a lesser-visited spot on campus. “I actually didn’t go to
JACK KIRKLAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
emerging concepts … we saw an opportunity to continue exploring new possibilities for this small but impactful location,” Burr said. The oft-forgotten location is convenient for all students on campus. For some students, a dessert store is a much needed addition to campus for post-exam rewards. “I’m here for a cookie
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JACK KIRKLAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Choolaah Indian BBQ in the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union Steak ‘n Shake very much, but there is a Smalls Sliders in my hometown, so I’m looking forward to trying that out here,” Kelchner said. Sweet Magnolia Gelato Co., which served gelato in Weir Hall, vacated its space last semester. This semester, students will find The Cookie Nook in its place. Burr described this location, which previously hosted Blenz Bowls, as an ideal spot for experimentation. “Since Weir Hall has long served as an incubator for
place. We need more sweet treats on campus,” Sulzner said. “I live on campus, so I love a close sweet treat.”
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PAGE 8 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026
What is Ole Miss wearing this semester? SARA ZALESKI A&C Staff Writer
Each semester at the University of Mississippi ushers in a new rotation of fashion trends across campus. Some students, however, believe recent trends have de-emphasized a herd mentality when it comes to expressing oneself through clothing. Everyday styles are becoming more personalized, with students racing to become the first ones to adopt new fashion fads. With football season just around the corner, the Grove and Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will transform into metaphorical runways for outdoor fashion shows. Sophomore marketing major Sophia Carter noted that the various kinds of outfits which fill Oxford are typically attuned to the occasion. “On game days or for social events, people tend to dress up much more because they know they’ll be seeing a lot of people, taking pictures, wanting to look good, feel good,” Carter said. “I also think people feel like they’re representing themselves, their friends or even their (sororities), so they want to make a good impression.” Junior integrated marketing communications major Kinsley Kahlert, who is specializing in fashion merchandising and promotion, said game day outfits and classroom attire serve equally important purposes. “The main differences I see between (outfits for) game days and daily outfits are that our daily outfits are just as put together, but just serve a different purpose,” Kahlert s a i d .
“Our daily outfits are comfortable and practical, while (outfits for) game days are much more expressive and performative.” In a culture heavily influenced by social media, students often look to online platforms for fashion inspiration. Trends emerging on apps like TikTok and Instagram quickly make their way into the classroom. “I think social media has a huge influence on trends, especially on a college campus,” Carter said. “Everyone wants the newest styles or wants to be one of the first people wearing something before it becomes popular.” Junior Kate Bolio, an integrated marketing communications major who serves as head of relations for the UM Fashion Panel, shared a similar perspective. “I believe social media is one of the most — if not the most — influential tool in fashion,” Bolio said. “When we think of what’s trending, it’s usually based on what we have seen on social media. Social media is a major way to set the trends and communicate them across campus.” Senior Lauren Cincurak, a communication sciences and disorders major, said TikTok has become especially influential in shaping fashion trends at Ole Miss. “I think TikTok plays a huge role in the sorority fashion scene,” Cincurak said. “I see lots of Parke sweatshirts, matching sets and similar styles on TikTok. ‘RushTok’ is also a huge trendsetter for the season.” The term “RushTok” refers to the large number of posts on TikTok about sor o r i t y recruitment,
including “get ready with me” videos and advice about what to wear for each part of recruitment. For many students, developing a personal style has become a way to experiment with identity, build confidence and communicate individuality through everyday clothing choices. Carter said she has noticed students moving away from coordinated, trend-driven outfits in favor of looks that feel more personal. “People are starting to move toward more unique combinations instead of matching pieces,” Carter said. “I think colorful clothing will continue to become even more popular because it stands out and lets people show more personality.” Secondhand shopping, either in traditional thrift stores or through consignment apps like Depop, is one way students are personalizing their looks this season. Sophomore integrated marketing communications major Jimee Brooke Garrett said she expects students to continue embracing affordable and environment-friendly clothing. “Thrifting, or even apps like Depop or Poshmark, have been a huge trend lately — one of my favorite
(trends), actually — that I think will continue to grow for a while,” Garrett said. “It’s the cheapest way to buy cute and unique clothes sustainably. The best one-of-akind pieces in my closet have come to me secondhand.” Austin K. Smith, a senior journalism and art history double major who serves as director for outreach and relations for UM Fashion Panel, said students are becoming more intentional about the trends they follow. “I think the overconsumption of microtrends will continue to fade as more people embrace secondhand shopping and vintage fashion,” Smith said. “People are becoming more intentional with capsule wardrobes and having that timeless aspect.” Students also noted the rise of statement accessories. Kahlert said hair accessories are an increasingly popular way to stand out at Ole Miss. “With headbands going out of style again and the prevalence of the claw clip, I’m excited to see what hair accessory dethrones (the headband) next. I think fashion itself, especially in the SEC, is moving away from the neutrals and moving towards individual style,” Kahlert said. Footwear is one department that will not see much change this semester, according to students. “Ballet flats and Mary Janes are not going anywhere,” Garrett said. Cincurak echoed Garrett’s statement and mentioned one tried-and-true shoe sensation for game day. “Cowgirl boots are always a game day staple,” Cincurak said. “As for myself, I will still be here to advocate f o r
both flats and capris.” However, fashion’s significance extends beyond simply following trends or choosing the perfect game-day outfit. “Fashion has always meant more than just clothing to me,” Smith said. “It’s a way to express yourself and show yourself to those around you, or even find a group of people that resonates with your lifestyle.”
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LUCY SPRINKLE AND ALANA BROWN-DAVIS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026 | PAGE 9
Live in Oxford! Acts taking the stage this fall ADA C. RICHARDSON A&C Staff Writer
The University of Mississippi may welcome its first Latina-based sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha. Jazmyne Mendez, the Tennessee Area One orientation coordinator of the sorority, led an orientation for interested students in the union on Monday, Jan. 27. Founded in 1975 at Kean University, N.J., LTA is the Oxford is a hot spot for live music in Mississippi, with iconic venues like Proud Larry’s, The Lyric Oxford and the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Here is a peek at upcoming performances scheduled for this fall. Note: Shows at the Ford Center are for attendees of all ages. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at Proud Larry’s and The Lyric Oxford, and those under 21 are required to pay a $5 cover fee in cash.
PHOTO COURTESY: ABBY CAGLE
Local Brand
He expanded into the music world in 2024, starting his band, The Smokes, which includes renowned southern musicians Jimbo Mathus and Eric Carlton. The Smokes released its debut EP, “Lostville,” produced by Grammy-nominee Jimbo Mathus, in 2024. The group has since released one single and two live recordings from their performances at Thacker Mountain Radio and Proud Larry’s. Artist: Singlewide Band Venue: Proud Larry’s When: Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. Genre: Alternative country/ Americana Price: $15.39 Singlewide Band is an alternative country/Americana band local to Oxford. The band was founded in 2025 and released its first EP, “Singlewide,” in May 2026. The band has started gaining traction within the University of Mississippi community after touring throughout Mississippi and surrounding states this summer. Artist: Pothole Paradise Venue: Proud Larry’s When: Aug. 29 at 9 p.m. Genre: Indie rock Price: $21.59 Pothole Paradise formed in Jackson, Miss., between childhood friends Sam Strogner, Ricky Miller and, later, Pete Dowing and Andrew Puckett. The band’s music career dates back to May 23, 2021, when the young artists released their debut single, “Blue Eyes.” Since then, Pothole Paradise has released five singles, an EP and its first album, “Road to Paradise.”
popularity since the release of his debut album, “Men and Coyotes,” three years ago. His newest album, “HARD LAND,” pays homage to the ranch land Shahan calls home and includes eight songs written by Shahan, along with contributions from collaborators Brandon Adams and Heath Tolleson . Artist: Max McNown Venue: The Lyric Oxford When: Oct, 1 at 8:30 p.m. Genre: Country Price: $49.48 McNown blends folk and country to create heartfelt songs that make listeners feel seen. Within a year of teaching himself guitar, McNown began creating music that skyrocketed in popularity. McNown’s single, “A Lot More Free,” was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2025.
“Don’t Stop Me Now” is a tribute to the greatest rock musicals of all time, beloved for combinations of rock ‘n’ roll melodies with Broadway stage power. This concert experience will feature hits from a number of iconic musicals, including “Hair,” “Rent,” “Jagged Little Pill,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Hamilton.”
Artist: Don’t Stop Me Now: A Artist: The Bends Celebration of Rock Musicals Venue: The Lyric Oxford Venue: Ford Center When: Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. When: Oct. 20-21 at 7:30 p.m. Genre: Rock Genre: Rock Price: $31.53 Price: $25-40 The Bends, originally from Baton Rouge, La., are masters of a versatile alternative rock that has resonated with a worldwide audience. The quartet’s first original song, “Makeup,” went viral online after country music star Zach Bryan shared it on his Instagram story in May of 2026, calling it “the song of the year.” Since then, the band has continued to grow exponentially.
Artist: Congress The Band Venue: The Lyric Oxford When: Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. Genre: Rock Price: $31.53 Congress The Band is one of the Southeast’s most exciting rock acts, bringing a wave of fresh, vibrant rock from the Carolinas. In just a short period of time, the group has grown from a local favorite to a regional touring force. Its powerful performances have resulted in sold-out venues from Athens, Ga., and Charlotte, N.C., all the way to Chicago to New York City.
PHOTO COURTESY: COLE WITHERS
Pothole Paradise
When: Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Genre: Country Price: $35-60 The Gatlin Brothers are a Grammy-winning trio whose unforgettable harmonies have impacted country music for seven decades. Now, as the group celebrates an extraordinary milestone with its “Farewell Celebration” tour, the brothers are taking one last time to thank the fans who have cheered them on throughout their careers.
Artist: Local Brand x The Artist: Red Shahan Pinksheets Venue: Proud Larry’s Venue: Proud Larry’s When: Sept. 11 at 9 p.m. When: Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. Genre: Country Genre: Indie alternative Artist: Oxford Golden Hours Price: $24.69 Price: $15.39 Venue: Proud Larry’s Shahan, an Americana and Local Brand is an indie-alterWhen: Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. folk-rock artist, has increased in native band based out of Florence, Genre: Contemporary and Ala., that showcases a groove-based classical chamber music foundation and powerful vocals. The Price: $33.98 group will be accompanied by The Oxford Golden Hours is a conPinksheets, a band based in Tupelo, cert series founded by Jiwon Lee, a Miss. The band specializes in a softmusician currently pursuing a Ph.D. er, more peaceful indie rock sound. in higher education at the University of Mississippi. Audiences are invited Artist: Michael Farris to enjoy a string quartet performing Smith & The Smokes classical and contemporary compoVenue: Proud Larry’s sitions in a warm, candlelit setting. When: Aug. 20 at 8:30 p.m. Genre: Country PHOTO COURTESY: LIN MARIJNISSEN Artist: Larry Gatlin & The Price: Free Jiwon Lee performing with her Gatlin Brothers Smith is an award-winning augroup Oxford Golden Hours Venue: Ford Center thor, screenwriter and musician.
SUDOKU© Puzzles by KrazyDad HOW TO PLAY Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 with no repeats.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
INTERMEDIATE
PHOTO COURTESY: SINGLEWIDE BAND
Singlewide Band
PHOTO COURTESY: ANTHONY THAXTON
Michael Farris Smith
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1- Make into law; 6- Author ___ Christian Andersen; 10- ___-deucey; 14- Mr. Moto portrayer; 15- Robt. ___; 16- Rouse from sleep; 17- Deplete; 18- Wear well; 19- Cooking appliance; 20- Flat contract; 21- Handicapped; 23___ Aviv; 25- Call ___ day; 26- Hole-making tools; 29- Free from doubt; 32- Lott of Mississippi; 37- Heston’s org.; 38- Prego competitor; 39- “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper; 40- In spite of; 43- Capital of Greece;
44- Not that; 45- Leaves in the bag?; 46- Requirements; 47____-friendly: not too technical; 48- Scottish loch, home to a monster!; 49- Ames and Asner; 51Metal-bearing mineral; 53- Submissive to authority; 58- Bridge positions; 62Flightless flock; 63- A ways away; 64Singer Lopez; 65- Passport endorsement; 66- Entice; 67- Keep happening; 68- Words to Brutus; 69- Kill; 70- Speechify;
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42- Legible; 45- Headed for overtime 47- Pierce with a knife; 50- Christmas song; 54- Actress Streep; 56- Praise; 57- Lower jaw; 58- Sharpen; 59- ___ expert, but...; 60- Rocket launcher; 62- ___ Like It Hot; 63- Greek goddess of strife; 64- Retired fliers; 67- Chilling Chaney;
PAGE 10 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026
THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026 | PAGE 11
Ole Miss Special Olympics College Club brings home gold REAGAN TAYLOR
Assistant Sports Editor
The Ole Miss Special Olympics College Club won gold in 5v5 Unified Flag Football at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minn., from June 20-26. Special Olympics works to unite athletes who suffer from intellectual disabilities with coaches and mentors who do not suffer from disabilities to create an inclusive environment. The team was coached by Hunter Crabbs, who serves as the coordinator of intramural sports and sport clubs in the Department of Campus Recreation at Ole Miss, along with senior biological sciences major Molly Nichols. In 5v5 Unified Flag Football, each team puts three athletes and two student-partners on the field at a time, plus two coaches on the sideline. Typically, rosters are made up of 10 players and two coaches, but Crabbs and the team were a player short this year due to a travel issue. The team traveled with five athletes and four student-partners. For Ole Miss’ team, student-partners must be enrolled at the University of Mississippi, while athletes live in the surrounding community. The team was composed of athletes Clayton Dabbs Jr.,
Madison Dennis, Javontae Henry, Bhanuka Jayaratna and Jon Morgan and student-partners John Holtz, Ashby McWhorter, Austin Poitevint and Jason Skocy. Crabbs spoke on the benefits of Special Olympics Unified Sports. “It’s super impactful. I think creating an environment where these individuals can compete, and keeping (the environment) the same as we do for any of our other leagues, is super important,” Crabbs said. “They really enjoy it. It’s a really unique opportunity.” In the seeding round, the team lost its first two games against Utah and Iowa before defeating Colorado. The Rebels then defeated Oklahoma in the first round of the playoffs, then took care of Utah, 28-6, in the semifinal. In the championship, the team defeated Iowa, 16-14, to claim the first gold medal ever won by a collegiate flag football team from Mississippi. The team ran designed plays and set positions that they tweaked during the tournament, which helped lead them to success. They also had a game sheet that Crabbs would use to call plays from the sideline. “We were playing to win the whole time,” Crabbs said. “It is competitive. I think a common misconception is that you treat it differently, (but) you don’t.” For some members of the team, this was their first time traveling far
away from home. They made the most of this trip on and off the field. “We got to watch ‘Toy Story 5’ when it came out. … We got to see (the University of Minnesota) campus, so we spent a lot of time walking around campus,” Crabbs said. “(We) got to see (Shohei) Ohtani pitch in the Twins’ stadium … (We) spent a couple of days in the Mall of America, riding roller coasters and shopping.” Crabbs noted the event was set up like the Olympics, complete with an Olympic Village for the teams. There was also dancing and live music. “Kids were getting free glasses and free shoes and free insoles, (USA Games personnel made) sure that they’re getting taken care of physically, which I thought was really unique,” Crabbs said. “This whole concept of USA Games was foreign to me until I got there and experienced it. That was probably my favorite part of the whole thing — seeing the athletes getting taken care of in that way.” The team competes in several events throughout the year such as the Unified Egg Bowl. In 2025, the Rebels took down the Bulldogs in this matchup, 38-19, which earned them the right to represent Mississippi in the USA Games. The Special Olympics College Club participates in other sports, such as soccer in the fall and basketball and kickball
PHOTO COURTESY: HUNTER CRABBS
Ole Miss Special Olympics College Club Flag Football team in the spring. The club hosts games and practices weekly. “They compete on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. They typically start their leagues with a skills day, so they introduce anybody that might be new to what it looks like, and then they’ll do three weeks of the regular season,” Crabbs said. “They’ll end up with a championship game between the two highest seeds. The club practices on Thursdays, and that’s a smaller group of students on campus and a smaller group of community members.” Crabbs said that getting involved
with the Special Olympics College Club as a partner or athlete is easy. “Any (currently enrolled) student on campus can be a part of the club,” Crabbs said. “Our athletes for the club are community members, and they reach out to our club directly to become involved in both our intramural sports and sport clubs on campus.”
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Road Rebs’ travel guide to the 2026 football season ERIKA DIERKE
Sports Staff Writer
Ole Miss Football is fresh off its best season in the modern era. Head coach Pete Golding will look to steer what fans have started calling the “Pete Fleet” to five away victories this upcoming season. As always, the Rebel faithful will be a blue-and-red sea invading enemy stadiums this fall. For each of these contests, fans may consider buying tickets directly from the Ole Miss website. Beyond this guide, reaching out to students or alumni from the opposing universities, or looking at in-depth directories such as this one from Elite Sports Tours, is the best way to uncover local secrets. Whether fans plan on catching every road matchup or have only one or two games circled on the calendars, the time to start planning is now. Here is what you need to know for every stop on the 2026 road schedule. Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sept. 6 The season begins with a neutral-site matchup against the Louisville Cardinals in the Music City Kickoff on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 6:30 p.m. Online tickets are available starting at approximately $90.
The drive up Interstate 40 East from Oxford is an easy four-hour trip. There are plenty of walkable hotels along Interstate Drive or across the Cumberland River on First or Second Avenue to help fans stay out of traffic on game day. Otherwise, look to secure an official stadium parking pass in advance. Before kickoff, fans can attend an official tailgating event on the north side of the stadium with games, food, entertainment and an open bar for $85 a ticket. Nashville will also host the inaugural Music City Kickoff Concert the evening before the game, as well as the Broadway Block Party, an NCAA Women’s Volleyball doubleheader in Bridgestone Arena on Sunday afternoon. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Sept. 26 In the SEC road opener, the Rebels will travel to “The Swamp” to face the Florida Gators on Saturday, Sept. 26, with kickoff currently flexed between 2:30 and 7 p.m. Fans can either commit to a 10-hour drive down Interstate 22 East and Interstate 75 South or a connecting flight from Memphis to Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV). Affordable lodging within the city is hard to come by, so consider finding more affordable hotels located in Ocala, Fla., or Lake City, Fla.
ERIKA DIERKE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
If you know a Gator, ask him or her to purchase a single-game guest ticket for you. Student ticket add-ons are also an option. If you are not interested in fraternizing with the enemy, take a look at third-party sellers. Keep in mind that September in Gainesville is brutally hot, and the east-side visitor section takes direct sunlight. General parking on campus is sparse and will fill up quickly. If you are staying out by I-75, take the Gator Aider Shuttle from Celebration Pointe directly to the stadium. Tailgating will take place throughout campus, with the Gator Walk Village on the North Lawn and Florida Gators Fan Fest outside the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The university is definitely the prime destination within the city of Gainesville. However, downtown Gainesville offers good dining options, and the area boasts beautiful nature and flora. FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Oct. 10 The Rebels will continue their stint away from home with a return to Music City to play against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, Oct. 10. The game is currently flexed between 2:30 and 7 p.m. After making the familiar fourhour drive up from Oxford, the most convenient hotels are on West End Avenue. Single-game parking will be available online at the end of August. Otherwise, on-campus parking at the West Garage or Terrace Place Garage are popular locations. Single-game tickets will be for sale to the general public on Aug. 27 and are available on third-party websites now. Vandyville, the Commodores’ free fan activities will have inflatable games, food truck vendors and live entertainment.
There will be general fan tailgating around the campus, as well. If you missed the Music City Kickoff, check out downtown Nashville for food, drinks and live music. Closer to the Commodores’ campus, you can find the Parthenon at Centennial Park and the Frist Art Museum. Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 24 Ole Miss will face the Texas Longhorns as SEC opponents for the first time on Saturday, Oct. 24. Since this is the farthest trip of the season, the 11-hour drive via Interstate 20 West and Interstate 35 South makes the direct flight from Memphis to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) an attractive alternative. Campus-adjacent hotel options put you within manageable distance of the stadium, but staying downtown near the Texas Capitol or 6th Street offers more of the city experience. Ticket prices will be among the steepest on the schedule; most are already available through secondary sellers. If you are in the visitor section, once again, prepare to be directly in the Texas heat. Parking near the stadium is notoriously difficult on account of game day road closures around San Jacinto Boulevard. Many opt to park on Manor Road and walk, or use St. David’s Garage. Texas will also sell single-game parking. While no pre-game experience compares to the Grove, consider checking out Bevo Boulevard, a street festival where fans can watch the Bevo Parade three hours before kickoff and the Stadium Stampede 30 minutes later. Fans can also grab food and drinks at Scholz Garten, the famed
beer garden just south of campus. While in the capital city, explore South Congress Avenue and all that the Live Music Capital of the World has to offer. Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Nov. 14 The final away game of the season will be against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff time has not yet been announced. Fans have the choice between a 560-mile, eight-hour drive straight west along Interstate 40 West, or a direct flight from Memphis to OKC Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City, Okla., with a 30-minute drive south to Norman. Lodging near the stadium is difficult to find. NOUN Hotel is the only walkable choice. The best bet is picking between rideshare or parking and staying at a hotel in West Norman, Okla., or Oklahoma City, Okla. There is limited parking on campus for $30. A game day shuttle from Lloyd Noble Center will be available for $5 round trip. Fans can purchase tickets from Oklahoma, though cheaper options are available on resale apps. Besides the span of campus tailgates, there is a Walk of Champions (yes, Ole Miss had one first) and Party at the Palace on the lawn. Be sure to visit the Campus Corner entertainment district and East Main Street while in town.
CONTACT THE SPORTS DESK AT thedmsports@gmail.com
PAGE 12 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026
The past and future of Ole Miss’ Nike partnership ISAAC SCHEER
Sports Staff Writer
The partnership between Ole Miss Athletics and Nike is set to expire in June 2027. Ole Miss Athletics must either strike a new deal with Nike or find a new gear supplier. Regardless of the decision, the equipment staff will be there to make sure Rebel athletes look their best. An apparel switch in the SEC is not unheard of. Within the last few months, South Carolina officially joined the Nike team, and Tennessee left Nike for a return to Adidas. For Ole Miss, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter said a decision may be reached soon. “One of the important milestones is that we have to order product for the next year in September and October,” Carter said. “In my mind, we would want to have our hands wrapped around … a new contract with whoever that is probably by August or September, maybe even October at the latest.” Carter noted that the Rebel brand has become far more recognizable on the national level — thanks, in large part, to recent athletic success by multiple prtograms. The Ole Miss brand now carries more weight than it did when the contract was last renewed
in 2015, so it is important to weigh all offers that arise. “Your hope is that you continue to put yourself out there, that (the) brand is strong, and then when you go to the table to negotiate, you have that leverage,” Carter said. “We definitely have a stronger brand going into those negotiations than we did in the past. Hopefully, the apparel provider sees that.” The Nike partnership with Ole Miss has worked for years and seen multiple extensions. When asked about the current apparel deal with Nike, Carter said the partnership has been beneficial. “Nike has been an incredible partner for us for a long time,” Carter said. “(I) couldn’t be happier with our relationship with Nike and what they’ve meant to us, and hopefully we’ve meant (a lot) to them.” When the Ole Miss and Nike partnership first began in 1999, the Rebels’ staff looked different. However, Spencer Hill is one man whose experience has allowed him to become an expert on every product that Nike has to offer the Rebels. Hill has served as the Ole Miss equipment manager since 2005 and works behind the scenes with Nike representatives to ensure that all the necessary gear is ordered and distributed to some of the
biggest Rebel teams, including basketball and baseball. Hill’s journey to his current role began as a student manager for the Rebel football team in 1997. After his graduation in 2000, he spent five years with UT Martin before returning to Oxford in 2005 to become the Rebels’ new equipment manager. Much has changed since Hill first began his career, including the landscape of college sports. Athletes now have their own NIL deals with brands. In July, Nike announced that it had added both Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy to its Nike football roster. If the Rebels were to switch brands, those deals could be affected. Moreover, technology has drastically changed over the years, making the process of supplying equipment easier. The operation used to be much more time consuming for equipment managers. “We would call a sporting goods store, a place in Memphis … and say what we need and send some faxes,” Hill said. “You’d ride out and meet somebody in Memphis at the store. (The) back and forth, it was just awful. I don’t know how we ever did it.” After a few years of the Memphis operations, Nike simplified the process with
RUSS EDDINS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Ole Miss Football slogan at the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center an online database. Each school received a specific digital page from which it could order gear. That system is still in place today. Even though the process is easier now than ever before, the workload is still immense. Hill received a large shipment of fall gear before his interview with The Daily Mississippian. “Yesterday, I had UPS show up with like 30 boxes, then I had FedEx show up with 10 or 15 (boxes), and then I had a semi truck come in with wooden pallets stacked up full of boxes,” Hill said. Regardless of whether Nike remains Ole Miss’ gear supplier in the future, Hill and his
staff will remain dedicated to ensuring that the Rebels have all the gear they need to perform both on and off the field.
CONTACT THE SPORTS DESK AT thedmsports@gmail.com
Column: Ole Miss fans, we’re not underdogs anymore MADELEINE NEW Sports Staff Writer
For decades, Ole Miss sports fans have worn the underdog label like a badge of honor. A 10-win football season? Build the statue. A Sweet 16 appearance? Historic. A trip to Omaha? One of the greatest seasons in program history. Those accomplishments deserve to be celebrated. They are difficult, and they were once rare occurrences, but they should not be the finish line anymore. Somewhere along the way, Ole Miss quietly became one of
the strongest all-around athletic departments — not just in the SEC, but in the country. Ole Miss Football has consistently competed for College Football Playoff spots in both seasons with the 12-team field. Both basketball programs have become nationally relevant, despite a step back from the men’s team last season. The baseball program has made multiple trips to the College World Series in recent years and won a national championship in 2022. Yet, somehow, Ole Miss fans still behave as if simply getting invited to the party is
enough. This mentality has to change if Ole Miss wants to take the next step. The coaches and players have raised the ceiling. Now, fans must raise their expectations as well. Why do Ole Miss fans still measure success differently than the programs the Rebels are competing against? Georgia fans do not celebrate when the Bulldogs simply reach a bowl game. Kentucky fans do not throw parties for Sweet 16 appearances. LSU fans are not satisfied with the Tigers simply hosting a regional or advancing to Omaha. These fanbases expect champion-
ERIKA DIERKE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
ships because championships have become the standard. Ole Miss has spent years proving it belongs in those conversations. The Rebels have shown that championships could become the standard in Oxford, too. Yet, many fans still evaluate each season through the lens of where the programs were 20 years ago instead of where they are today. That mentality matters more than people realize. Championship teams are built through talent, coaching and resources, but they are also built through culture and expectations. Players hear what fans say. Coaches feel the pressure surrounding a program. Recruits notice which schools expect to contend and which ones are simply grateful to participate. When an entire fanbase expects greatness instead of treating above-average results as extraordinary, the standard naturally rises. Ole Miss has the resources to compete nationally. The facilities are elite. NIL support has improved dramatically. The Rebels play in the most competitive and desirable conference in college athletics. Ole Miss programs attract talented coaches and recruits. Nothing about Ole Miss Athletics says underdog anymore — except, sometimes, the fanbase.
Celebrating successful seasons is important. Fans should still appreciate winning — the SEC is unforgiving, and nothing is guaranteed — but appreciation should never lower the bar. There is a difference between recognizing progress and acting as though progress is the final destination. Ole Miss fans can be grateful for how far these programs have come while still demanding that they keep going. For years, the dream was simply to get into the room. The goal was to make the playoffs (or, in the past, a bowl game), reach March Madness or get back to Omaha. Now, Ole Miss is in the room. The next step is for fans to expect the Rebels to win.
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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026 | PAGE 13
Rebel football seeks to reach last season’s heights with fresh talent, star returners WILSON ENGERISER Sports Staff Writer
The 2026 college football season will be a proving ground for the Ole Miss Football program. Head coach Pete Golding returned several key starters and hauled in another elite portal class. The team earned the No. 3 conference ranking in SEC preseason voting and has two Heisman hopefuls in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy. Since the Rebels are building off three consecutive seasons of 10 or more wins, this oseason is the prime opportuniety for the Rebels to show why -they belong at the precipice of .college football. If they fail to perform, however, they will be viewed as a second-tier SEC team unable to consistently compete at the highest level. The Ole Miss backfield is unequivocally one of the strongest in the nation. Returning phenoms Chambliss and Lacy have become household names. On July 21, Ole Miss Athletics launched the #H6I5MEN campaign to advocate for its two stars following historic seasons by both players. Last season, after spending two games as the backup, Chambliss stepped in for an injured Austin Simmons and never looked back. He threw for almost 4,000 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding over 500 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground en route to the Rebels’ College Football Playoff semifinal appearance. Lacy had an equally impressive season during which l he set multiple school records, s like the single-season touchdown record. With over 1,500 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns, Lacy was a n workhorse back that never . seemed to falter until the Fiesta Bowl against No. 10 Miami, s when he dealt with an injury. Lacy may cede some carries . to talented transfers JT Lindl sey, Joshua Dye and Makhi s Frazier and returnee Shekai -
Deuce Knight
Mills-Knight. Still, Lacy receiving fewer carries this season will not be indicative of a falloff. Instead, it will reflect the coaches’ intentions to keep him healthy and fresh for as much of the season as possible. “If the team wins, that’s a good game for me,” Lacy said in a press conference on Aug. 6. “Having those extra legs, too, is just a blessing. To have a rotation, and other people to go in there and make explosive plays … it’s definitely going to be different from last year.” Lacy took around 82% of all carries by Ole Miss running backs last season. The strain eventually caught up to him during the Rebel’s deep playoff run, hence his injury against Miami. Indeed, if Golding and new offensive coordinator John David Baker want to give the Rebels the best chance in the postseason, they need to ensure that the Rebels are not only winning regular season games but also remaining healthy enough to compete at the highest level come December and January. The wide receiver corps may take a step back this season. Two Syracuse transfers, Johntay Cook II and Darrell Gill Jr., have shown flashes, but they certainly have not produced the highlight-reel plays that De’Zhaun Stribling and Harrison Wallace III did during their college days. Last year, Deuce Alexander was a gadget third receiver, catching 44 passes and rushing 19 times. Stribling and Wallace each caught more passes, tallied more receiving yards and saw more snaps than Alexander. This season, he will need to step up into the WR1 role. Outside of Alexander, the group has hardly any returning production. The next best pass-catcher is tight end Caleb Odom, who had only 197 receiving yards on 19 receptions last season. Lacy is third in total receiving yards by returnees, with 177 on 29 receptions. Transfer Horatio Fields,
The Ole Miss defensive line prepares to run a drill during fall football camp at the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center on Aug. 6. who, similar to Alexander, played at Wake Forest to start his career, could make an impact this season. In two seasons with the Demon Deacons, Fields had approximately 500 total receiving yards. He transferred to Auburn, where he had 106 yards and one touchdown before breaking his foot. While these numbers may seem uninspiring, he was trending upward before the injury. Alexander spoke about the wide receiver room. He has confidence in the group despite the departures of Stribling, Wallace and Cayden Lee in the offseason. “I feel like we did lose a lot, but we also gained a lot,” Alexander said Aug. 6. “We’re not lacking in that area. It’s on the way. We’re working hard behind the scenes.” The offensive line lost tackles Jayden Williams and Diego Pounds to the NFL. This season, the starters will be Terez Davis at left tackle, Delano Townsend at left guard, Brycen Sanders at center and Patrick Kutas at right guard. There is currently a position
PHOTO COURTESY: OLE MISS ATHLETICS
battle at right tackle between LSU transfer Carius Curne and Miami transfer Tommy Kinsler IV. Returnee Connor Howes is also in the mix. Defensively, the Rebels should take a step up this year. The Rebels allowed 149 rushing yards per game last year, which ranked bottom-5 in the SEC. Golding noted that the lack of depth heavily affected the unit’s performance. “We didn’t feel like we had enough depth on the defensive line, especially inside, last year to stay fresh late in games, and I felt like that really hurt,” Golding said in a press conference on Aug. 6. Despite losing Zxavian Harris, the unit has been beefed up. Mainstay defensive tackle Will Echoles heads the group, with Florida transfer Michai Boireau likely starting alongside him. Colorado transfer Jehiem Oatis will add depth along with returnee Jamarious Brown. Additionally, defensive end Kam Franklin and edge rusher Suntarine Perkins will look to build on solid 2025 campaigns, while transfers Jordan Renaud, Blake Purchase and Jonathan Maldonado will provide much-needed depth. One of the biggest areas of improvement this season is the linebacker group. California transfer Luke Ferrelli and Baylor transfer Keaton Thomas should wreak havoc on the field. Ferrelli was named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year last season after totaling 91 tackles, including five for loss. Thomas made 103 tackles with seven for loss and was on the watchlists for both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is presented to the top defensive player in the country, and the Butkus Award, which is presented to the top linebacker in the country. Cornerbacks Antonio Kite, Jaylon Braxton, Cedrick Beavers and Pat Broomfield and safeties Ladarian Clardy, Nick Cull, Andy Jaffe and Anthony Robinson III all chose to
return to Oxford this season. Transfers in the secondary include cornerback Jalyn Crawford from Auburn and safeties Joenel Aguero from Georgia, Sharif Denson from Florida and Edwin Joseph from Florida State. The secondary unit is quite talented and will look to improve upon a 2025 unit that allowed less than 200 passing yards per game. “Every day … you have to be doing your A-game, because we have a lot of guys that can be starters in the safety and corner room, so every day, you just have to compete,” Braxton said Aug. 6.
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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026 | PAGE 15
Break up with your high school significant other
College shapes you into a completely different version of yourself, and that transformation is difficult when you are being held back by your crush from junior year. MACKENZIE MCDARIES Opinion Editor
Welcome to the University of Mississippi! As you pack your shower caddy and shine your game day boots, there is one more thing you should add to your back-to-school checklist: Break up with your high school sweetheart. Too many incoming freshmen will promise to “make it work” with their high school partners before hitting the road to Oxford. They might make plans to reunite during
Thanksgiving break, or even take a meet-in-the-middle weekend trip — all just to be heartbroken by Halloween. As a former college freshman and a self-proclaimed expert on ending relationships, my recommendation to each incoming freshman is to break up with your hometown significant other before you come to Ole Miss. This is not because I think everyone should spend four nights a week partying on the Square, nor can I promise that your future spouse is waiting for you in EDHE 1005. Rather,
GRACE ANN COURTNEY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
I believe that college shapes you into a completely different version of yourself, and that transformation is difficult when you are being held back by your crush from junior year. Your freshman year of college should be about joining new clubs, meeting new people and learning how to function on your own. You can gain valuable life experience and memories by breaking out of your comfort zone to join a weightlifting club, visit a tent in the Grove where you do not know anyone or make a spontaneous Cook Out run with friends at 1 a.m. It is hard to embark on these foundational, young adult adventures when your evening schedule revolves around a three-hour FaceTime call with someone several states away. Another reason to cut ties with your high school relationship is that in college, you will probably mature so much that it is highly unlikely that you and your partner will have the same life aspirations by the time you both graduate. Your career plans will like-
ly change several times. You may envision yourself living in a completely different part of the country than your significant other. While it is unfortunate to part ways, you should live your life how you want to instead of remaining tied to a long-distance partner just because you went to a few school dances together and have a 400-day Snapchat streak. Finally, do not ever fall for the trap of not putting a label on your relationship to avoid making it “complicated.” This is a mistake that I, and many of my peers, have made. More often than not, the relationship never reemerges from the “situationship” territory and remains in a state of limbo many students are all too familiar with. A partner who wants to keep all the benefits of a relationship without claiming the responsibilities of it is trying to keep you in their back pocket while he or she explores other options. In this case, it is never worth it to waste your time waiting on someone with commitment is-
sues worse than Lane Kiffin. For the stubborn ones who fail to heed my advice, will some of those high school relationships make it through college? Absolutely! Every year, a few Ole Miss graduates beat the odds, making it out with their ninth-grade chemistry partner unscathed. But, if you are heading to Oxford this August, remember that the person you are here to become deserves just as much commitment as the one back home you are trying to hold onto. If that relationship is meant to be, four years will not change a thing. If it is not, you will be glad you gave yourself the chance to find out.
MacKenzie McDaries is a sophomore Arabic and sociology major from Murfreesboro, Tenn.
CONTACT THE OPINION DESK AT thedmopinion@gmail.com
There is much for urban planners to learn from Ole Miss Our campus succeeds because it takes all the requirements of living and places them within close proximity.
LOGAN DURLEY
Opinion Staff Writer
It is the season of long-awaited reunions for University of Mississippi students as we all return to our slice of paradise for another year of companionship and curriculum. The beloved university campus is surrounded by giant oaks, red brick and people you will miss forever. It leaves a lasting mark on all who grace its hallowed ground — an enduring enchantment which is not accidental, but carefully cultivated. When we step onto campus, the feeling we get —
of nostalgia, of longing for lost college years — is the result of a campus constructed to keep us coming back. Though it may go unnoticed, the main component of Ole Miss’ lasting appeal is its layout and design. With a canopy of green leaves above, walkable pathways and an abundance of opportunities to dine where you study, the infrastructure of the school fosters social connection in a way modern suburbia no longer does. Why must we forego togetherness as we matriculate into the professional world? American urban planners should place the same value on intentional gathering spaces as the university places emphasis on the Grove as a communal space. My favorite days always end with a walk home: past the Lyceum, the tennis courts, Guyton Hall and beyond. When I leave campus, these leisurely walks will likely become a suburban commute — a prospect I find dreadful. However, it is not just the walk that makes these evenings memorable. It is the fact
that walking made opportunities for human connection possible. As I walk, I exchange pleasantries with strangers, catch up with friends, stop to admire the tulips or abandon my route on a whim to stop by the Union. These moments of spontaneity are not solely accidental but are afforded by a place designed for pedestrians instead of cars. On our campus, nearly every necessity lies within walking distance. The automobile that is central to American life yields to the pedestrian, as travel by foot dominates on campus. Students can meet friends, grab lunch, attend class and study in the library without the hassle of driving. Our campus succeeds because all our needs lie within a short distance of each other. Residence halls have food options, academic buildings house POD markets, and the green spaces on campus are often flanked by coffee trucks — our campus takes all the requirements of living and places them within close proximity. The campus design, with
its blend of learning, dining, housing and recreation, creates an environment in which the moments spent waiting for a traffic light can be spent socializing, and make obvious a walkable neighborhood’s direct link to happiness, as discovered by the Journal of the American Planning Association. Unfortunately, most of modern America is designed differently. Single-use zoning separates the home from the office, the neighborhood from the restaurant and recreation from daily life. The result is a lifestyle dependent on automobiles and the hustle and bustle of American life, thus pushing spontaneity and community into the background. The allure of a college campus does not have to be an isolated phenomenon. Reviving the American neighborhood is possible with designs that place human living first. For example, sidewalks, shaded by tall trees, allows neighbors to mingle and connect destinations that blend life’s necessities. Perhaps what makes our campus magical is not unique
to us after all. Our cities have simply forgotten how to build communities that invite people to come together. If we can design a campus that makes an August pilgrimage feel like coming home, then we can also design neighborhoods that also keep that feeling alive. Logan Durley is a junior biological sciences major from Olive Branch, Miss.
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Opinion Policies: Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail.com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.
PAGE 16 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 24 AUGUST 2026
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